It Must Be Art

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, London-based Big O Posters helped define the new and democratic art medium of the psychedelic poster, a vehicle for rebellion against the old order that went hand in hand with the music, literature, and film of the time. This is a comprehensive collection of works published by Big O artists, astonishingly creative folks whose artistry developed almost completely outside the influence of the art establishment. Included in more than 300 images are works by 19 artists, including Martin Sharp, Roger Dean, H.R. Giger, Robert Venosa, and Vali Myers whose signature styles include sci-fi, fantasy, visionary, botanical, and surrealism. In addition to hundreds of original works, this book digs below the surface to offer insights and anecdotes about the era, the artistic process, and reveals connections to artists from the past (Aubrey Beardsley, Alphonse Mucha, Kay Nielsen) whose spirit chimed with the age of Big O Posters.

Celebrate 45 women artists, and gain inspiration for your own practice, with this beautiful exploration of contemporary creators from the founder of The Jealous Curator. Walk into any museum, or open any art book, and you'll probably be left wondering: where are all the women artists? A Big Important Art Book (Now with Women) offers an exciting alternative to this male-dominated art world, showcasing the work of dozens of contemporary women artists alongside creative prompts that will bring out the artist in anyone! This beautiful book energizes and empowers women, both artists and amateurs alike, by providing them with projects and galvanizing stories to ignite their creative fires. Each chapter leads with an assignment that taps into the inner artist, pushing the reader to make exciting new work and blaze her own artistic trail. Interviews, images, and stories from contemporary women artists at the top of their game provide added inspiration, and historical spotlights on art "herstory" tie in the work of pioneering women from the past. With a stunning, gift-forward package and just the right amount of pop culture-infused feminism, this book is sure to capture the imaginations of aspiring women artists.

The Art Of Big O is a beautifully illustrated 8.5 x 11 in. 272 page softcover book that tells the story of The BIG 'O' publishing company that first burst upon the swinging London art and music scene during those wild and wonderful psychedelic 60s and throughout the 1970s up until 1980. This poster, calendar, art card and book publishing company produced some of the most amazing and influential fantasy and fantastic and album cover art of all time during the 20th Centuries Golden Age of Poster Art. These are the artists you have grown to admire and love over the years; among them are "Alien" Academy award winning artist HR Giger, also included is perhaps the most recognized album cover artist and creative illustrator over the past 50 years, Roger Dean, and J.R.R. Tolkein and Michael Moorcock fantasy art great Rodney Mathews, as well as David Bowie album cover artist Terry Pastor and the wonderful fantasy children's book illustrator paintings of Wayne Anderson. These are but a few of the uniquely talented artists and their personal stories you will find in this book who contributed to some of the most fantastic poster and album cover art of the 1960's & 70's and beyond. From the psychedelic Jimi Hendrix color explosion posters of artist Martin Sharp, to the fantastical beautiful worlds of the YES, and ASIA album cover posters of artist Roger Dean, through the Alien landscapes of H.R. Giger, from the luminous visionary dreams of artist Robert Venosa, and artist Mati Klarwein, to the magical fantasy landscapes of artist Michael Fishel, BIG 'O' was there with the Big, Bigger, The Biggest O!

From achieving those first professional strokes to mastering composition, lighting, and color to finishing beautiful still lifes, portraits, and landscapes, here is a course that covers every basic skill as well as more challenging lessons for the developing artist.

Depth, perspective of sky and sea, shadows, much more, not usually covered. 391 diagrams, 81 reproductions of drawings and paintings.

The must-have guide for all artists who draw the human figure!

In Morpho: Hands and Feet, artist and teacher Michel Lauricella presents a unique approach to learning to draw the human body. In this book, Lauricella focuses exclusively on the hands and feet—arguably the most popular and, for many, the most challenging parts of the body to draw successfully. Breaking the subject matter down into the underlying skeletal shapes, followed by the musculature, then the skin and fat, and finally, the veins, Lauricella offers multiple approaches—from simple forms to complex renderings—and a plethora of positions and gestures are included to help you improve your drawing skills.

Geared toward artists of all levels, from beginners through professionals, this handy, pocket-sized book will help spark your imagination and creativity. Whether your interest is in figure drawing, fine arts, fashion design, game design, or creating comic book or manga art, you will find this helpful book filled with actionable insights.

(Publisher's Note: This book features an “exposed” binding style. This is intentional as it is designed to help the book lay flat as you draw.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction
Hands
Feet
Resources

John Alvin's movie poster art is among the most iconic of the last 40 years, from Disney films such as Beauty and the Beast, Mulan and Pinocchio, to Empire of the Sun, Gremlins, Blazing Saddles, Predator, and the Star Wars 30th anniversary posters. This book not only collects some of Alvin’s finest work, but also includes previously unseen comprehensives and in progress sketches. With the text including commentary from Alvin’s widow, this is a unique insight into the work of one of the 20th century’s great artist/illustrators.

This is a nuts and bolts guide for arts professionals and volunteers creating public art in their communities, with information on planning, funding and legal issues.